Alfred Eisenstadt was perhaps the most famous photographer of the 20th century. No one reading this has not seen his most famous photograph, shown here.
Here's is what the master said about that fateful day where luck and preparation collided.
"In Times Square on V.J. Day, I saw a sailor running along the street grabbing every girl in sight. I was running ahead of him with my Leica looking back over my shoulder. Then suddenly, in a flash, I saw something white being grabbed. I turned around and clicked the moment the sailor kissed the nurse...I took exactly four pictures. It was done within a few seconds."
There are several other notable pictures from the hundreds Mr. Eisenstadt took in the decades he worked for LIFE magazine.
Here are some children watching the story of "St George and the dragon as the a puppet theater in Paris,1963.
"It took a long time to get the angle I liked, but the best picture is the one I took at the climax of the action. It carries all the excitement of the children screaming,"The dragon is slain!" Very often this sort of thing is only a momentary vision, my brain does not register, only my eyes and finger react. Click."
Headwaiter Rene Breguet brings aperitifs to English guests at the skating rink of the Grand Hotel, Saint-Moritz, 1932.
Though I have alway admired his work, I never got to meet Alfred Eisenstadt. He passed way in 1995 but I do count one of his photographs among our most cherished possessions. Last year we were fortunate enough to be able to acquire a signed copy of his magnificent Premiere At La Scala, 1934. It is my favorite of his pictures and made visiting the famous opera house last year in Milan all the more special.
"In Italy, I photographed a gala evening at La Scala. This was one of my first pictures with a Leica on a tripod. Suddenly I saw a lovely young society girl sitting next to an empty box. From that box I took this picture, with the girl in the foreground... Without the girl I would not have had a memorable picture."
To see many more of Mr. Eisenstadt's pictures, click here.
great images
Posted by: michelle k | August 20, 2008 at 05:45 AM
Beauty is the eye of the beholder. Sometimes the story behind the photograph is actually more interesting than the shot itself.
Posted by: The Secret | August 20, 2008 at 07:06 AM
Bean,
I once met the lady who is the Nurse in this picture. she was very sweet and told me that she had to keep very quiet about her identity for a long time. Her Mother was very upset with her for allowing herself to be photographed and told her not to tell anyone it was her because it was shameful. She told me it wasn't until after she was married and had children that she told anyone she knew that it was her in that picture.
It was interesting to meet someone that is an Icon and no one really ever knew who she was.
Posted by: Me | August 20, 2008 at 08:35 AM
This has got to be one of your better blogs. As an avid photography enthusiast, I think it would be great for you to mention an infamous photographer each week. It's simply amazing how a single photograph can convey so much...more so when a caption is not needed.
The comment above me is amazing as well, as far as getting to meet that nurse! How lucky is that!
Posted by: akchick03 | August 20, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Love this man's work! Thanks for sharing, Bean!!! And for the history lesson for the day!
Posted by: Ana | August 20, 2008 at 09:20 AM
i love black and white photography. i don't know what it is... just love it.
thanks bean. awesome post.
Posted by: cathy g | August 20, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Bean you also have a gift behind the camera. The pictures you take stir emotions in the viewer. Please show more of your work. Thank you
Posted by: wannie | August 20, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Hi Bean, interesting post. Coincidently the Long Beach Press Telegram had an article about Edith Shain, the nurse in the picture taken by Alfred Eisenstadt. I know the nurse is not the topic of this post but the story is still interesting. That picture is one of my favorite pictures. It was portrayed a couple of years ago at the "Pageant of the Masters" in Laguna Beach--Beautiful.
http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_10210112
Posted by: Lynne_T | August 20, 2008 at 08:44 PM
I've studied many photographers. I think Eisenstadt is the very best. What a treat to own the beautiful Premiere at La Scala...I burned a lot of time going to the link you provided. Thanks Bean!
Posted by: Cam | August 20, 2008 at 09:24 PM
A couple of years ago, the BBC put together a great series called "The Genius of Photography". It's a pretty comprehensive history, though I can't recall whether it includes anything on Eisenstadt. I'm not sure if it's available on DVD in the U.S.... I'd certainly never suggest you watch it on Youtube. Nope. Not gonna do it.
Posted by: Rose | August 20, 2008 at 10:24 PM